Love & Redemption
Chapter 34: Finals (Part 2)

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Finals (Part 2)

Today I updated three Chapters, and this is the third~~OK, done updating. Please show a lot of support~HOHO~

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Pian Pian and Yu Ning, both from Dongfang Qingqi of Fuyu Island, had been practicing Dual Swordsmanship since they were six years old. Now in their twenties, they almost always ate, lived, and traveled together, and even their temperaments were nearly identical, which is why they were able to perform Dual Swordsmanship so flawlessly.

Xuanji had heard of these two before, but this was her first time seeing them up close.

The one in white was Yu Ning, slightly shorter, with long hair casually tied in a bun, her gaze cold and clear, her face beautiful. What was more astonishing was the treasure sword in her hand, over three feet long, from the hilt to the scabbard, all shimmering in snowy white, its material unknown.

Xuanji had always thought that women looked best in white, not only because it was refreshing, but also elegant. At that moment, seeing Yu Ning standing on the field, her clothes and long sleeves fluttering in the wind, indescribably graceful and charming, Xuanji couldn’t help feeling a bit envious.

Pian Pian was the tall, thin man in red next to her. Though not remarkably handsome, he had a pair of bright, spirited eyes that added a touch of masculinity to him, and combined with his red clothes and black hair, he had a distinct allure. His sword was thicker, similar in style to Yu Ning’s, only it was entirely bright red, as if just taken out of a forge.

"I thought he would be more handsome..." Linglong watched Pian Pian for a while and then turned to whisper to Zhong Minyan, "Turns out he’s not as good-looking as our Sixth! Sixth, you should wear red too someday, change the scabbard and hilt to red, and you’ll definitely look better than him."

Zhong Minyan couldn’t help but laugh, nodding solemnly, "Then you should wear white and carry a white sword, and we can be like the Shaoyang Sect’s Pian Pian and Yu Ning with our Dual Swordsmanship."

Linglong laughed and slapped him a few times, "What do you know about Dual Swordsmanship! They’ve been practicing since childhood!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than another wave of cheering erupted from below, as the competitors facing Pian Pian and Yu Ning took the stage.

"Ah! It’s Brother Duan Zheng!" Linglong pointed excitedly at the young man with a naive face on stage, "Brother Duan Zheng! So he’s this amazing!"

Instantly, everyone forgot about discussing how good-looking Pian Pian and Yu Ning were and started shouting and cheering with all their might. Duan Zheng seemed to hear the cheers of his fellow sect members, turned back to give a slight smile, drawing even more applause.

"Who else from our Shaoyang Sect is left?" Linglong asked.

Du Minxing thought for a moment, "This time the competitors are the brothers of the Duan generation. The previous three sessions eliminated most of them, and Brother Duan Hui got sick from bad food last night and couldn’t continue competing, so only Duan Zheng and Duan Ming are left."

Upon hearing this, Linglong pouted, "These brothers are really disappointing, only two left!"

Chen Minjue chuckled and interjected, "Little junior sister, that’s not how things are. Look, from the sixty disciples who participated, all disciples from Xuanyuan Sect were eliminated, and from Fuyu Island, only Pian Pian and Yu Ning are left. Our Shaoyang Sect having two remaining is already exceptional! Moreover, Brother Duan Ming just defeated a disciple from Dianjing Valley and is now one of the top four!"

Linglong felt a little better after hearing this.

The judge of this competition was the Vice Palace Master of Lize Palace, who was still as lazy as when they had last seen him, leaning back in his chair loosely, everyone watching the feather fan in his hand, waiting for him to signal the start of the match.

But he was unhurried, fanning himself twice before smiling and saying, "The match hasn’t started yet, no need to be on such tenterhooks, remember to stop when a touch is made, and if you use an Immortal Spell Talisman beyond the limit, I might lose my temper!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he swung the fan, and everyone was taken aback. Pian Pian, Yu Ning, and Duan Zheng hesitated for a moment, and then they bowed to each other and took their stances.

Zhong Minyan saw that Brother Duan Zheng was using the opening moves of Xuanming Fist and couldn’t help asking, "Does Brother Duan Zheng not have a weapon? It must be tough to handle two swords with bare hands."

Du Minxing shook his head; he didn’t actually know what weapon Duan Zheng used.

Suddenly, Linglong shrieked, "Ah! Look quickly!"

Everyone looked together, only to see Pian Pian and Yu Ning with swords in hand, crossing them to form an "X". They stood facing each other, one in red and one in white, their robes fluttering beautifully.

Three people on either side, facing off against each other, and for a long time, none of them moved.

Linglong waited for a long time and saw no move from them, whispered, "Why aren’t they moving?"

Du Minxing could only shake his head, as he naturally did not know.

Time passed, and still they did not move, causing the spectators below to become anxious and begin making noises of amazement. The Vice Palace Master shook his fan and said with a laugh, "Don’t rush, don’t rush, keep quiet, keep quiet."

As soon as his voice fell, all three moved in unison, like three bolts of lightning, striking together in midair then instantly retreating, with no one able to see clearly what moves they had actually made. But it could be observed that Duan Zheng’s sleeve was slashed and Yu Ning’s garment hem now bore a footprint.

"Wow, what was that!" Linglong exclaimed, "I couldn’t see clearly at all!"

No one answered her, for everyone else was just as clueless.

Therefore, Xuanji kindly explained, "It was like this, Brother Duan Zheng initially intended to use the momentum to snatch the sword from Yu Ning’s hand but was blocked by Pian Pian, who struck with his sword towards the face. In order to dodge that sword, he used his sleeve to entangle, thus his sleeve got cut. Yu Ning followed up trying to stab him, but his move was neutralized, and he even got kicked."

After explaining, she blinked her eyes and seeing everyone staring at her, added obediently, "That’s what happened."

Linglong stuttered, "Xu, Xuanji, you... you could see clearly?"

She nodded, "Yes, of course, the moves weren’t that fast."

Linglong fell silent.

Zhong Minyan scoffed, "Don’t listen to the little girl’s nonsense; how could she see clearly! Even our senior brother couldn’t see clearly."

I really could see clearly... Xuanji argued internally, but she was too lazy to say it aloud.

This first exchange allowed both sides to understand each other’s strengths a bit better. Knowing that Duan Zheng was not an easy opponent like those he had easily defeated before, both Pian Pian and Yu Ning now appeared more serious. Suddenly, they withdrew their swords, spun around in unison as if they had rehearsed it, lightly touched the ground with their toes, and simultaneously retreated several steps.

Duan Zheng did not give them a moment to catch their breath, dashing forward in a burst, sidestepping, and nimbly dodging Pian Pian’s obliquely aimed sword. Then, lifting his wrist, he attempted again to seize Yu Ning’s sword. This time she was prepared and didn’t let him get close, retreating immediately, dodging a grappling move. Meanwhile, Pian Pian’s sword again thrust towards his face, forcing him to retreat.

The crowd below could not discern their specific moves but saw Duan Zheng’s shadow shuttle back and forth between the red and white shadows, swift as a skilled swallow, always retreating upon contact. The shadow in red, sleek and stern like a nocturnal demon, would dangerously insert itself unexpectedly, stirring its sleeve with concealed sword glint; truly a needle hidden in silk floss, a flower deep in the sea.

The shadow in white, graceful and lofty, performed excellent light skills, orbiting around Duan Zheng, enveloping himself in a circle of sword glint as if clad in a golden bell, a thorn in the blossom.

With red and white, their advance and retreat well-coordinated, on the left and right intermingled, they appeared just like two butterflies, indeed as others would say, a feast for the eyes. Although no one could see clearly what they were actually doing... well, that was a minor regret.

"Who is gaining the upper hand?" Linglong, unable to make out the details, anxiously cried out.

Du Minxing and the others could only shake their heads silently. Xuanji gently said, "It’s Brother Duan Zheng who has the upper hand. He has taken Yu Ning’s sword. Look—"

She pointed, and indeed, Duan Zheng was seen stepping back several steps, his hand sparkling, clutching a lustrous white treasure sword, his grip forming a precise Sword technique. Across from him, Yu Ning’s expression was odd, his wrist bore a fresh red mark, presumably injured by him.

The crowd was astonished.